Rock-drill.



A. BALL & T. OFFlCER.

ROCK DRILL.

APPLICATION FILED lULY 2a. 1904.

Patented Mar. 21, 1916.

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ROCK DRILL.

-APPLICAHON man JULY 26.1904.

Patented Man'2l, 1916.

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A. BALL & T. OFFICER.

ROCK DRILL.

APPLICATION'FILED JULY 26. 1,904.

Patented Mar. 21, 1916.

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wj/inetsees W UNITED I STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ALBERT BALL AND THOMAS OFFICER, OF CLAREMONT, NEW HAMPSHIRE, ASSIGNORS,

BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO SULLIVAN MACHINERY COMPANY, OF BOSTON, MAS- SACHUSETTS, A CORPORATION OF MASSACHUSETTS.

ROCK-DRILL.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. '21, 1916.

Application filed July 26, 1904. Serial No. 218,300.

To all tC/tU/IL it may concern:

Be it known that we, ALBERT BALL and Tnoius OFFICER, both citizens of the t'nited States, and both residing at Claremont. in the county of Sullivan and State of New Hampshire, have invented an Improvement in Rock-Drills, of which the following description, in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a specification, like letters on the drawings representing like parts.

Our invention consists in improvements in rock drills, the specific form thereof here shown being particularly intended for use in what is known as plug and feather work, although as will be obvious. our said invention has many features applicable to drills of other types and employed for other uses.

In plug and feather work it is usual to drill rows of holes, the holes of any one row being ordinarily equally spaced, and since these holes are frequently of comparatively shallow depth, the work of transferring the drill from a hole already drilled to a position for drilling the next hole and of adjusting itin its new position, frequently occupies as much or more time than the actual drilling of the holes.

()ne object of our invention is a rock drill which is not only an etlioient drilling machine, but which is susceptible of quick and easy handling and rapid adjustment, so as to reduce to a minimum the time required for transference from one hole to another while at the same time providing for the greatest certainty of control, convenience of manipulation and accuracy of work.

Our invention will be best understood from the following description, when taken in connection with. the accompanying illus tration of One specific embodiment thereof, while its scope will be more particularly point-edout in the appended claims.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is an elevation of the illustrated form of our invention looking from the front or operators side of the drill; Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same; Fig. 3 is a plan view; Fig. 4 is rudetail in plan of the foot-rest; Fig. 5 is a rear view of the drill, or one taken from the side opposite the operator; Fig. (Sis a sectional detail taken through the controlling valve; Fig. 7 is a section on the line 77 in Fig. 5; Fig. 8 is a view showing the mode of employing our invention in drilling into vertical walls; Figs. 9 and 10 are details showing the vertical support; and Fig. 11 is a modified form of rack; and Figs. l2, l3 and 11 show modifications of the gage.

Referring to the drawing, the cylinder A is provided at each end with a pair of laterally extending cars a which serve to connect the engine cylinder and the drill tool with the two supporting frame rods 1), b, and, being slidable thereon, permit the cylinder with the drill tool to be moved or fed upon said frame rods to and from the work through the feeding mechanism hereinafter described. At the end opposite, or tool and, said frame rods are tied or secured together (l igs. 1 and (3) by the holding member 0 which herein constitutes a drill positioning grasping device and consists of a hollow casting. into which the ends of the rods are threaded and so located as to be easily but firmly grasped by the hand of the person operating the drill. The holding member 0 is provided with suitable conduits for receiving the supply of fluid under pressure, herein assumed to be air. and with suitable drill controlling means for controlling the operation of the drill. such controlling means herein comprising the rotary hand valve 0', so located as to be conveniently manipulated by the thumb and finger of that hand grasping the said holding member 0 and without the necessity of relieving the grasp thereupon. During the operation of the drill the air is supplied through suitable and preferably flexible connection from the source of supply (not shown), to the mouth a (Fig. 6) of the holding member and, passing through the valve controlled passage c enters the depending leg. 0*, and into a chamber (Figs. 1 and 5) in the offset portion 0 thereof. Thence it passes through a stationary pipe a secured in the offset portion a to the air chamber 0 of the engine cylinder. In entering the air chamber a the tube 0 passes through a suitable stuffing box and is extended into the air chamber to a suflicient length to permit the necessary movement of the cylinder to take place along the rods a, a, during the feeding of the drill.

The controlling valve herein shown consists of a tubular valve member 0 having a portion of its walls cut away as shown, whereby when rotated through the medium of the handle a the supply of air may be varied or cut off, as desired. A suitable packing nut 0 is provided to prevent leakage about the valve stem. The form of valve shown permits an efficient seating of the valve when closed, since the supplied pressure itself is exerted to inforce the seating of the valve when turned to the cut-off position.

The lower end of the frame, instead of resting upon the usual self-supporting tripod or frame, is, in the embodiment of our invention here shown, provided with two supporting points d, d, adjustably secured to the foot-plate D, and herein in axial alinement with the frame rods 1), Z), the ends of the latter being also adjustably secured to the said foot-plate D, by which they are rigidly held together at their lower ends. These points are preferably sharpened and of hardened steel. \Vhen dulled, they may be readily removed and resharpened. The foot-plate D is provided with a foot-holding member (l arranged at the side of the drill tool to be pressed downwardly by the foot of the operator and also with a foot-guard which permits foot pressure effectively to be applied closely adjacent the axis of the drill, precluding, however. all possible injury to the foot of the operator.

\Vhen in use the drilling machine rests upon the two supporting points, (i, d, these being firmly pressed into contact with the surface of the rock through the foot pressure of the operator upon the foot-hold (1 The operator with one hand employed in feeding the drill, can with his other hand, manipulate the controlling valve, at the same time firmly grasping the holding memher 0 to steady the drill or to give it proper alinement bv rocking it about the supporting points d, d. By relieving the pressure of the foot, the supporting points d, of, may be shifted slightly to any desired degree through the hand grasping the holding member, or, the drill may be quickly lifted and moved bodily to any desired location, which may be that suitable for drilling the next hole. The location of the holding member which is preferably substantially in the central plane of the drill and at or near the end of the supporting frame, enables the operator through its use to handle and move the entire machine quickly and easily. while the location of the foot-holding member 61 transmits the foot pressure directly to the holding points. avoiding any displacement of the drill when its loeationhas been de termined upon.

In place of the screw feeding mechanism usuallv employed upon rock drills. we have here shown a novel form of drill feeding clamped to the side supporting rods 1) as by set screws. one of which is shown at e in Fig. 7. Rotation of the gear 6' and the feeding of the cylinder and drill tool on the supporting rods, is effected by rotation of a feed actuating member, herein the handle 6 which is secured to the rectangular. end 0 of the shaft 0 The rack and pinion feeding mechanism described permits a very rapid feed to be effected with comparatively slight movement of the hand, and since the principal component of the hand pressure effecting the feeding movement is in a plane substantially parallel with the drill tool, and with the supporting frame and the foot pressure applied to hold it in position, such feeding pressure does not affect the stability of the structure when in use or the operators control over it; on the contrary, the downward movement of the hand tends to assist the foot pressure, while the upward movement of the hand is insufficient to affect it. Neither movement tends materially to upset the equilibrium of the drill. Moreover, the position of the feed aetuat-, ing member, which is intermediate the holding member and the drill tool, is such as to permit the operator to employ the same in cooperation with the holding member 0 at the top of the supporting frame in manipulating the drill support, whether in placing it in position, in holding it while in use, or in transferring it from one point to another. The described connections between the drill feeding member and the drill tool would, if no provision were made. permit a reverse feeding movement of the drill and the transmission to the handle 6 of the shock or concussion as the drill strikes the rock. To relieve the operator of this shock or concussion and to oppose any reverse movement of the drill, there is pro vided frictional locking means adapted to oppose movement of the gear a when the operator so desires. To this end the handle 6 is pivoted at e upon the rectangular portion of the shaft e, whereby an outward lateral movement of the handle 6 (Figs 3 and 7) about its pivot, causes a lug e thereon, to engage a friction plate a interposed between the hub of the handle and the hanger e, causing the latter frictionallv to press against the face 6 of said hub. At the opposite end of the shaft 6 is a friction washer e, of leather or other suitable material, which is held upon the shaft against the face of the hanger e by means of a washer and lock nut e". \Vhen the operator moves the handle 6 laterally, to

force the washer 6 against the hanger e, the shaft e is drawn through its journals, compressing the friction washer 0 between the outer washer and the hanger 6 thereby to produce an eflicient frictional resistance to the movement of the gear 0, which resistance may be varied at will by the force applied in the lateral movement of the handle. The leverage being great, the gear may be efliciently locked and the operator relieved from the shock of the blow by a slight lateral movement of the handle 6. A spring 6 is employed between the handle and the shaft 6 tending normally to maintain the former out of its friction position.

In Fig. 11 we have shown a modified form of rack which is provided with skewed or spirally cut teeth, and intended to be employed with a similarly cut pinion. This may be employed, if desired, to assist in preventing retrograde movement of the tool during feeding, and obviously may be employed as the sole locking means or in connection with the friction device described or other like devices.

While we prefer to employ a toothed feeding device, such as one of the illustrated racks with its pinion, obviously other feeding devices may be employed to obtain certain advantages of our invention and are to be understood to be within the scope of the same.

When desired, the drill feed, which, of course, is limited by the length of the rack e, may be lengthened by unclamping the hangers e and e, and adjusting them relatively on the support to a new position; thus changing the limit of the drill feed upon the support.

In using a drill for plug and feather work, the rapidity of the Work is greatly increased by the employment of means which assist in locating and positioning the drill with reference to a hole already drilled when it is transferred to another position for drilling the next hole.

Referring particularly to Figs. 1 to 4 and 5, we have shown adjustably attached to the foot-plate D a T-shaped gage or spacing device f, the'arms of which are adjustably held substantially parallel with the drill tool, the depending arm of the gage being adapted to enter and engage the walls of a hole already drilled to position the drill tool for the undrilled hole, whereby the latter may be drilled with a predetermined relation to the preceding hole and with all previously drilled holes. if desired. The gage f is adjustably held by the set screw f in the foot-plate D. and may be placed in the same plane with the supporting points (I and the drill tool itself. as shown in the full line position in Fig. By adjusting the space between the drill tool and the gage, the space between the drilled holes may be definitely fixed for any desired number of holes. The foot-plate D is arranged to receive the shank of the gage, as shown in Fig. l, in either of two holes, 1 and 2, so that it may be adjustably held in either of two planes intersecting at the axis of the drill tool, the dotted line position showing it located in a plane at right angles to the plane of the supporting points. Vhen any predetermined space is desired, the gage is set to that distance and no marking of the holes is required beyond a mere indication of where the line of drilled holes should be. The first hole may be drilled near the edge of the stone by placing the gage against the edge, thus holding it at a fixed distance, the drill being subsequently positioned for the remaining holes by inserting the depending arm of the gage in each instance in the previously drilled hole. The spacing gage not only definitely fixes the distance of the holes apart, but since it enters the previously drilled hole, it may also assist the operator to some extent in holding the drill plumb and in position, particularly, if the gage extends any distance into the hole or has an approximate fit in the hole, and particularly when used as shown in the dotted line position, Fig. 4. It moreover greatly assists the operator in quickly positioning the drill, since after insertion of the gage in the previously drilled hole, the operator is only obliged to move the drill about the gage as a center until the position of the tool upon the line is found and this can readily be done. The spacing gage is shown as T-shaped in order to permit a single gage to be used in any of its several possible positions relatively to the drill. Obviously, where but one of these positions is to be employed. an L-shaped gage could be used with equal facility, but with the T-shaped gage shown, the same gage may be used in the two positions shown in Fig. 4, and also in the reverse of those two positions.

In Figs. 8, 9 and 10 we have illustrated the method of employing the above-described drill for drilling holes in an upright wall, such as the side wall of a quarry or the side face of a block instead of a horizontal surface, such as is afforded by a quarry floor or the top face of a block. For this purpose the hangers e and 6 (Fig. 10) may and preferably are provided with the cars a and (1 which are omitted for the sake of clearness in Figs. 1 to 6. These ears (Fig. 6) extend rearwardly (upwardly) and carry the fixed pin 1 \Vhen the drill is to be employed in a horizontal or approximately horizontal position for drilling holes in an upright wall. the pin a is adapted to rest leg, the sliding section a of which is adapted to be secured in any desired extended position by the set screw a". A guard spring a is secured to the end of the barrel sec tion a, and adapted to overlie the pin a, when the leg is in use, and is preferably of such strength and shape as to retain the leg in its attached position against slight disturbances or against the depending weight of the leg itself when the drill is lifted, but permitting, however, the ready withdrawal of the leg from the pin when the operator for purposes of disengagement intentionally gives the leg a longitudinal pull.

\Vhen the drill is to be employed for the purpose suggested, the leg having been attached, the drill is placed with its points a resting against the upright face of the rock to be drilled and the leg a inclined at any suitable angle. The elevation of the drill may be quickly adjusted within certain limits by merely hitching or forcing the leg forward or backward to change its angle of inclination, and obviously adjustment outside of these limits may be effected by lengthening the telescopic joint. The weight of the drill acting against the inclined leg tends to seat the points 'cl firmly upon the face of the rock, and this is greatly assisted by the effort of the operator, which can be readily applied, owing to the relative arrangement of the controlling devices. In drilling vertical rows of holes, however, the spacing gage f acts, in addition to its function as a spacing device, to engage the walls of the previously drilled hole and thereby effectively to assistin supporting the drill and in holding it in its selected alinement and to supplement the horizontal support afforded by the leg (4". This is best illustrated by reference to Fig. 8, where the gage f inserted in the drill hole a, acts as a hanger to carry a portion of the weight of the drill, causing the latter to cling to the face of the rock. In cooperation with the points (Z and also with the leg a, it acts to hold the same firmly in alinement and fixed relation to the work.

In Figs. 12, 13 and 1-1 there is shown a modified form of gage which will materially assist in locating the drill on change of position and in alining the drill after being located. In place of the comparatively short shank of the gage 7, but removably held in the foot plate D in like manner, the bar m, of any desired length. may be employed on which may be adjustably secured, as by set screws, the sleeves m and m carrying respectively the downwardly turned gage points m and m the same being viewed in plan in Fig. 12 and side elevation in Fig. 13. The sleeves m and m being adjusted to separate the gage points bv the predetermined distance between drilled holes, and the. point m being at a like distance from the drill, the location of which is indicated at of, both the location and alinement of the drill are materially assisted after the drilling of the second hole of a series, and particularly where the gage points fit closely in the drilled holes; for, if the operator on completing one hole shifts the drill to bring the gage point m into the freshly drilled hole and the point m into the hole previously occupied by point of, the drill tool will be correctly positioned and alined for the next hole to be drilled. Obviously the bar m may be suitably proportioned and of any desired length and any number of gage points may be used. This form of gage described may be eifectively used in drilling upright walls, for. by inserting the second gage point (Fig. 8) in the second hole tr above the drill tool, the drill will receive support therefrom as well as from the point within the hole at, as shown in Fig. 8. and the drill tool by this arrangement will be alined/the same as when employed in a vertical position.

The above gage may be modified to permit the drilling of a row of holes .in the arc of a circle and this without the necessity of any circular marking upon the face of the stone. This may be accomplished by substituting for the point m which (Fig. 12) is fixedly secured to the sleeve m and in line with the drill tool and point m", the point m (shown in side elevation in Fig. 14) which is adjustably secured to the arm m, extending laterally from the sleeve m, so that the point m may be set out of alinement with the drill tool and the point m. Under these conditions the relative position of the drill tool, point m and point m determine the radius of the circle which the described use of the drill will cause the successively drilled holes to follow. This radius may be varied by varying the position of the point m on its arm on and the latter may, if desired, be gaged to indicate the circle corresponding to the position of the point m thereon.

The construction of the engine itself forms no material part of our present invention, but is more particularly described and claimed in our co-pending application filed March 6, 1905, Serial No. 248,509.

lVe here deem it unnecessary to refer to the various modifications in form, details and arrangement of parts which may be made in the form of our invention here disclosed and which will be obvious to those skilled in the art; nor do we deem it necessary to refer to the various obvious applications which may be made of oi'irinvention other than those here referred to, but have in accordance with the requirements. illustrated our broad invention by a single specific embodiment thereof and a single particular application.

' Claims:

1. A portable rock drill having an end support, a holding member for manually holding said support, a drill engine, enginecontrolling means adjacent said holding member and adapted to be controlled by the hand engaging said holding member.

2. A rock drill having a rack and pinion drill-feeding device for actively advancing the drill into the work, combined with manually operated friction means associated therewith for opposing backward movement of the drill, and a single manually operable means for operating both said feeding device and friction means.

3. A rock drill having a rack and pinion drill-feeding mechanism for actively advancing the drill into the work, combined with friction means for opposing backward movement of the drill, and a manually-operable member connected to said feeding mechanism and friction means and having a feed-operating movement and a frictionoperating movement.

4. A rock drill having a manually operated feed actuating member, connections between the same and the drill permitting positive transmission of motion from the actuating member to the drill to actively advance the drill into the work or vice versa, and friction means operated by said actuating member for opposing a backward feeding movement of the drill.

5. A rock drill having a feed actuating member, connections between the same and the drill permitting transmission of motion from the actuating member to the drill or vice versa, means for opposing backwardmovement of the drill, a support for the drill, a holding member for manually holdin said support, and provisions for manual y (iperating the feed actuating member.

6. rock drill provided with a support, a holding member for manually holding said support, and manually operated feeding means between the drill tool and the holding member for feeding the tool to its work, said drill feeding means being adapted to occupy different positions on the support and to effect drill feed in any such position.

7. A rock drill having a support, a footholding device to receive a foot of the operator at the side of the drill tool, a rigid support holding device above the drill tool, and tool-feeding means including a grasping member at the side of the tool intermediate said holding devices.

8. A rock drill having a support, a handholding device, a hand-feeding device having a grasping portion which moves toward the work during the feeding movement, and a. foot-holding device.

9. A rock drill having a non-self-sustaining support combined with a hand-holding device, a foot-holding device, and a feeding device having a grasping portion whi h moves toward the work during the feedir g movement.

10. A portable rock drill having a nonselfsustaining support, a drill engine mounted upon said support, a holding member for said support, a valve for controlling said engine adjacent said holding member and adapted to be controlled by the hand engaging said holding member.

11. A rock drill having a supporting frame, a drill engine adjustably 'movable upon the frame, rack and pinion means for moving said engine along the frame to feed the drill into the work, and friction means connected with said pinion for opposing the reverse movement of said rack and pinion means. Y 1

12. A rock drill having a rack andipinion drill feeding means, means adapted to be thrown in or let out of operation by the operator for opposing movement of the drill, and means for holding the second-mentioned means out of operation during the drill feed.

13. A rock drill having a rack and pinion drill feeding means, friction means adapted to be thrown in or let out of operation by the operator for opposing movement of the drill, and means normally to hold said friction means out of operation.

14. A rock drill having a feed-actuating device comprising a feed shaft, rotation of which acts to feed the drill toward or from the work, a friction device thrown in or out of operation by longitudinal movement of said shaft, and means for turning said shaft, or moving the same longitudinally.

15. A rock drill having a supporting frame, a drill engine thereon, a handle for said frame, and a pressure-supply conduit passing through said handle.

16. A 'rock drill having asupportin frame provided with means at one end thereof for resting the same against the work, a holding device at the opposite end 110 of the frame, an intermediate drill-feeding device acting to press the drill a 'ainst the work, and a lateral foot rest for a oot of the operator.

17. A rock drill having a non-self-sus-.115 taining support provided with a plurality of supporting members in substantially the same plane with the drill, and'a spacing gage in the same plane with said supporting members.

18. A rock drill having a support provided with a plurality of supporting members in'substantially the same plane with the drill, and a spacing device in the same plane with said supporting member but laterally 125 beyond said members.

19. A portable rock drill having a plurality of supports, and means for locating a hole to be drilled by reference to a hole already drilled, eitherin a plane parallel 130 with the plane of paid supports, or in a plane at right angles thereto.

20. A portable rock drill having a support, a holding member for manually holding said support, a rack and pinion drill feeding means between the drill tool and the holding member to feed the drill tool to its work, means for opposing reverse rack and pinion movement, and means normally to render the last-mentioned means ineffective.

21. A rock drill having a drill-feeding device including a manually rotatable operating element having a feeding movement in one direction and a feed-opposing move- 15 ment in another direction, and means rendered effective by said opposing movement for opposing backward movement of the drill.

In testimony whereof, We have signed our 2( names to this specification, in the presence of two subscribing Witnesses.

ALBERT BALL. THOMAS OFFICER.

Witnesses:

F. T. COPELAND, FRANK H. FOSTER. 

